The owner of a classic car business and mechanics garage in Roanoke Rapids has been charged with exploitation of an elder or disabled person and obtaining property by false pretense.
Roanoke Rapids police Chief Bobby Martin said the charges lodged against 59-year-old Vivian Pompliano, the owner of Pomp Boys Motors, were based on a complaint received by Captain Jamie Hardy from a 75-year-old victim.
Martin said the police department has received between 25 to 30 complaints regarding the business which are being investigated.
Martin said around 2 p.m. Tuesday Hardy met with the victim who told him her deceased husband’s car was being held by a local business for minor repairs.
The victim told Hardy that when she attempted to retrieve the vehicle she was told she could not be advised what work was done to it. She was given a price for vehicle storage — close to $10,000.
Martin said the price quoted seemed extremely high to the victim. That’s when the victim contacted Hardy.
Martin said the vehicle was taken to Pomp Boys early in 2021 before her husband’s death. He said the nature of the other complaints about the business are similar to the ones for which Hardy took out the charges.
“I want every business in Roanoke Rapids to be prosperous,” Martin said. “But we will not tolerate them doing it at the expense of our citizens in a criminal manner.”
Martin said Hardy consulted with the district attorney’s office about the charges.
Pompliano received a $10,000 bond and a July 28 court date.
With the investigation ongoing Martin said the police department encourages anyone who has experienced a criminal matter to contact Hardy at 252-533-0820, the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.